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Solar Plasma Cloud Forecast to Strike Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS on Nov. 21

Researchers place the impact window near 3 p.m. Moscow time with a chance of observable effects.

Overview

  • The Lab of Solar Astronomy at IKI RAS reports that a large coronal mass ejection recorded on November 17 is aligned toward 3I/ATLAS.
  • Impact is projected for Friday, November 21, around 15:00 Moscow time based on the lab’s calculations shared via its Telegram channel.
  • Because the object is now viewable from Earth, scientists say the aftermath may be seen directly despite the current low imaging resolution.
  • Separately, the lab says NASA plans a press-accessible, livestreamed briefing on 3I/ATLAS that may feature previously closed HiRISE imagery from MRO, which the lab describes as the most detailed available.
  • 3I/ATLAS, discovered on July 1 by the ATLAS telescope network, is characterized as an interstellar comet, with prior reports by Avi Loeb of self-luminosity and color changes drawing added scrutiny.